Albuquerque Christmas

Find Events, Parades, Festivals and More

An Albuquerque Christmas glows with the holiday spirit. Since December takes us to the darkest time of year, Albuquerque does its part to turn up the lights. Find luminarias, light festivals, seasonal music, crafts fairs, and other holiday activities to get you in the spirit. Events occur in date order.

UNM Crafts FairNovember 30 - December 2SUB Building, UNM CampusHours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year will be the craft fair's 53rd year. Find more than 70 local vendors with handmade goods.

Bandelier Elementary Holiday BazaarNovember 193309 Pershing SEHours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will be local artists, food, entertainment, face painting and more. Admission is free. The fair takes place in the cafeteria and gym.

Sandia High School Band Annual Craft FairNovember 197801 Candelaria NE, in commons area.Hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will be over 100 booths with handcrafted items, as well as concessions. Call (505) 294-1511 for information. Free admission.

Bugg LightsThe walk-through displays feature handcrafted characters. The Bugg Lights have been a local tradition for over 40 years. The Bugg lights are now on display at the Harvey House Museum in Belen, and while the display is free, donations are welcome, to help support the many volunteers who helped make it happen.

Bugg lights begin November 26 and continue through December 31, Sunday - Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Chanukah FestDecember 11JCC of AlbuquerqueHours are Noon to 4 p.m. There will be jumpers, games, arts and crafts, lots of live entertainment and food, while you holiday shop gifts. Eat latkes and stop by the NY deli station for kosher hot dogs. Register in advance.

There will be a Holiday Creation Station for kids, where they can craft their own gifts. Admission is $7 adults, 3 day pass $9, children under 12 free. $5 parking fee.

A Christmas StoryDecember 2 - 24The classic movie story about a young boy and his wish for a special bb gun takes the stage of the Albuquerque Little Theatre. Celebrate the season of joy with a holiday classic.

A Sugar Plum Fairy Nutcracker TeaNovember 30The New Mexico Ballet Company is having a Nutcracker Tea at the Hotel Albuquerque. Dress in your best holiday wear and have tea in the Kingdom of Sweets. The Sugar Plum Fairy might appear. Children will have their own menu. The Nutcracker story will be read and a selection of the ballet will be performed. Enjoy a raffle, holiday boutique and more.

River of LightsNovember 26 - December 31The River of Lights runs nightly through January 5.

Ropes of colored lights shaped into special glowing sculptures dazzle the Botanic Gardens. Every year, there are new sculptures, a snowman village made of glass, music, carolers, a holiday railroad train (featuring Snoopy), and more. The Polar Express runs on weekends, but tickets sell out quickly. No senior or member discounts for this special event.

Nutcracker BalletNovember 26 - December 4The New Mexico Ballet Company will be accompanied by the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra for two weekends of the Nutcracker. Special guest dancers from the New York City and American Ballet troupes will perform. See it at Popejoy Hall.

Visits and Photos with Old Town SantaThrough December 24Find Santa in the Don Luis Plaza of Old Town, near the giant Christmas tree. Santa is inside the On the Shoot Photo Parlour. The indoor photos include Victorian costume options and much more.

Holiday Nature Crafts at River of LightsDecember 7, 14, 21Families can enjoy making nature crafts just in time for Christmas, on Wednesdays in December. Supplies are provided and the workshop is free. Enjoy the River of Lights afterward (admission extra).

Old Town Holiday StrollDecember 2Enjoy live music, dancing, strolling carolers and even a visit from Santa Claus in Old Town. The luminarias will be glowing and the shops will be overflowing with holiday fare. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. The tree will be lit at 6:15 p.m. The stroll is free.

Hanging of GreensThe tradition continues at UNM as the university community gathers at University House to celebrate the holiday season. Carolers will gather in front of Popejoy Hall at 5:45 p.m., where everyone will gather to make the walk to University House. There will be hot chocolate, biscochitos and posole available; attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped children's book as a donation for UNM Children's Hospital. It takes place Friday, December 2.

The Festival of TreesDecember 3 - 4The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for Carrie Tingley Foundation to help the hospitals' special needs kids. Carrie Tingley hospitals offer children a place to get well and improve their chance at life. Donate your time, purchase an ornament, or make or bring your own to help the cause. Don't miss the People's Choice Award for best tree. Find the festival at the Convention Center.

Nutcracker on the RocksNovember 26 - December 11The Keshet Dance Company's Nutcracker defies expectations, performs classic rock and roll tunes, uses wheelchairs for ballet to create an exciting performance that has become an Albuquerque classic. See it at the Keshet Dance Company studios.

You'll decorate with a holiday theme. From 10:30 a.m. to noon, the event is free.

Twinkle Light ParadeDecember 3The annual Twinkle Light Parade features Santa Claus and over 100 floats with twinkling lights. See the parade in Nob Hill, and participate in the district's annual Shop and Stroll. The parade begins at 5:15 p.m. and moves west along Central Avenue, between Washington and Girard.

Christmas in New MexicoDecember 3The Baila! Baila! Dance Academy presents their annual Christmas in New Mexico show at the African American Performing Arts Center at New Mexico Expo. The shows are at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Starlight ParadeDecember 3The parade goes through the village of Corrales to the Recreation Center, where Santa will visit the kids. A huge bonfire and cookies for all are part of the festivities.

Santa Fe Opera Winter ConcertHear the Santa Fe Opera will perform a free concert at the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales on December 7 at 7 p.m. This is a free concert.

North Fourth Holiday Stop & ShopDecember 3 - 4Get your holiday shopping done at the shops along Fourth Street in the north valley and Los Ranchos. The holiday shop and stroll helps keep your dollars in the local community.

Garden HolidaysDecember 3 - 31Embrace the holiday spirit at the Botanic Garden during the daylight hours through the month of December with holiday themed exhibits, evergreens and seasonal color. Displays/activities include poinsettias combined with other playful flowers in a variety of colors in the Mediterranean Conservatory; an old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere at the Heritage Farm; a miniature holiday scene at the Railroad Garden and a sizzling Southwest-themed display with plenty of chile ristras in the Desert Conservatory.

See displays in the Aquarium and Zoo as well.

The Lights of KuauaDecember 4The evening of holiday fun at Coronado Monument includes luminarias, a bonfire, a visit from Santa, Native dancers, biscochito cookies, hot apple cider and cocoa. Kids can make their own Christmas ornament. There will be music, traditional Pueblo dances and Native American storytelling.

Holiday Nature Crafts at River of LightsDecember 7Families can enjoy making nature crafts just in time for Christmas, on Wednesdays in December. Supplies are provided and the workshop is free. Enjoy the River of Lights afterward (admission extra).

Danu, A Christmas GatheringThe Irish ensemble will perform traditional Irish music for the holidays. The performance at Popejoy takes place December 9 at 8 p.m.

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian NutcrackerDecember 11The Moscow Ballet has toured across America for over 20 years. See the company of 40 Vaganova-trained dancers this holiday season as they perform the classic holiday dance for one show only. This is an all ages event. See it at the Kiva Auditorium at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Christmas at the PalaceDecember 9The annual tradition brings the community together at the Palace of the Governors, where there is hot cider, live music and entertainment. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will pay a visit. The free event is a Santa Fe classic.

Mariachi ChristmasDecember 11Swirling dresses, stomping feet and mariachi music combine into one unforgettable holiday show. See it at Popejoy Hall at 3 p.m.

Bring a new and unwrapped toy to the concert for an underprivileged child. Hear them at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe or at the Hiland Theater in Albuquerque.

Holidays at Santa Fe PlaceDecember 10Celebrate the season at the Santa Fe Place Mall, starting at 7 p.m. Hear a free concert by the Santa Fe Concert Band.

Holiday ConcertDecember 12Celebrate the season at the Lensic Theater, starting at 7 p.m. Hear a free concert by the Santa Fe Concert Band.

Ballet Repertory Theater Nutcracker BalletDecember 10 - 24The Ballet Repertory Theatre brings the classic tale of toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes the nutcracker and little Clara to life. The Ballet Repertory Theatre has performed the Nutcracker since 1996. Additional ticket charges for the Christmas Eve performance includes attendance to a Nutcracker Tea following the performance. Meet your favorite Nutcracker characters and taste treats from the Land of Sweets. See the show at the KiMo Theatre.

MessiahDecember 16The New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and the New Mexico Philharmonic will perform Handel's Messiah at Popejoy Hall.

Holiday Nature Crafts at River of LightsDecember 14Families can enjoy making nature crafts just in time for Christmas, on Wednesdays in December. Supplies are provided and the workshop is free. Enjoy the River of Lights afterward (admission extra).

Nutcracker Ballet in the Land of EnchantmentDecember 16 - 18Performed by the Festival Ballet Albuquerque, accompanied by music of the Figueroa Project. The show takes place at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The traditions and heritage of New Mexico are paired with the classical tale of the holidays. Choreographed by Patricia Dickinson Wells.

Nutcracker BalletDecember 17 - 18The production highlights the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in show that is a Santa Fe tradition. See it at the Lensic Theater.

You'll see Old Town, but buses board and depart from the Convention Center.

Luminarias in Old TownDecember 24Christmas isn't the same in Albuquerque without a tour of luminaria displays on Christmas Eve. Walk around the Old Town plaza and venture into the Country Club neighborhood, with stops for hot chocolate, carolers and holiday cheer along the way.

See them after sundown in Old Town and the Country Club area. It's free.